Strap Apparatus and Method for Carrying A Firefighter&#39;s Personal Protective Equipment

ABSTRACT

A strap apparatus for carrying a firefighter&#39;s personal protective equipment comprised of: a strap with a first end and a second end; a buckle for temporarily securing the first and second ends of the strap; at least one integrated loop integrated into the strap; at least one retaining ring, each permanently integrated into the strap and adapted to receive the personal protective equipment; at least one release ring non-permanently secured to the strap and adapted to receive the personal protective equipment; and a handle that a user to carry the strap apparatus. The strap apparatus can further include a shoulder harness and include an additional strength or water-resistant layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/838,410, filed on 17 Aug. 2006 and incorporatedherein in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of storing andtransporting protective clothing, gear, and equipment, and in particularto a strap or belt apparatus to which such clothing and equipment can besecured and supported during storage or transport of firefightingequipment.

BACKGROUND

In many professions, individuals, such as firefighters, are required touse specialized clothing, equipment, and gear in engaging in theactivity or in performance of their duties, and to transport such itemsfrom one location to another. Traditionally, firefighters have usedduffel bags to store their firefighting gear, which cannot aerate wetand/or smokey gear. Firefighters also have difficulty accessing gearstored in a duffel bag.

The term “firefighter's personal protective equipment” (PPE), as usedherein, shall refer to a helmet, face piece, coat, boots, pants, gloves,hood, flashlight, cutting tools, carabiners, and any other protectivegear, clothing, supplies, paraphernalia, materials, or equipmentcommonly used by firefighters.

The term “strap,” as used herein, shall generally refer to an elongatedstrip or tubular webbing. A strap may also be made of any man-made ornatural material capable of being formed into a strap.

The term “retaining ring,” as used herein refers to any type of metal,plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing, or other ring or loopcapable of being used to hold objects, including combinations thereof.Retaining rings are a permanent part of the strap apparatus and may alsoinclude loops secured with fasteners or other configured or moldedstructures of any material capable of being formed into a closed loopthrough which a strap, another loop, a hook, rope, or clothing may bedrawn.

The term “release ring,” as used herein refers to any type of metal,plastic, leather, string, cable, cord, webbing rings, or other ring(s)capable of being opened and closed to hold objects, includingcombinations thereof. A release ring may also be a loop secured with afastener or other configured or molded structure of any material capableof forming a closed loop through which a strap, another loop, a hook,rope, or clothing may be drawn. A release ring may include, but is notlimited to, a metal ring which may be opened or closed by a clasp,spring, screw, gate, or other device, a carabiner, a key ring, a dogleash hook, or any other type of loop or hoop structure made of anymaterial.

The term “integrated loop” shall generally refer to a configuration of astrap to form the appearance of a loop or aperture, held in place bysewing, gluing, molding, soldering, melting, or any other method ofsecuring a loop structure in a strap, including combinations thereof.

The term “buckle” shall generally refer to a device capable of joiningor connecting two ends or portions of a strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one exemplary embodiment of the strap apparatusshowing a sample configuration of sewn integrated and metal loops.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the strap apparatus, to whichprotective equipment has been secured.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for securingprotective equipment to the strap apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention,references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of a strapapparatus and method of using same, only some of which are depicted inthe figures. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations onthe scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skillin the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as thedimensions, size, and shape of the components, alternate butfunctionally similar materials from which the strap apparatus is made,and the inclusion of additional elements are deemed readily apparent andobvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thewritten description do not depart from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned inthe following description. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skillin the art to employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed apparatus or manner.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, likereference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or nearidentical structural elements.

Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein maybe applied to modify any quantitative representation that couldpermissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function towhich it is related. For example, one embodiment of the strap apparatusis disclosed herein as including a shoulder strap to allow the strapapparatus to hang approximately to a user's hip. The shoulder strapmight permissibly be somewhat shorter or longer to allow the strapassembly to hang either above or below the user's hip and still bewithin the scope of the invention if its functionality is not materiallyaltered.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top view of one (1)embodiment of strap apparatus 100. As can be appreciated, strapapparatus 100 is comprised of strap 101, several integrated loops 102, abuckle comprised of insertion member 103 and receiving member 104,retaining rings 108, release rings 110, and carrying handle 105. In theembodiment shown, strap 101 is approximately sixty-four inches (64″)long and two inches (2″) wide and is made of a double layer ofheavy-weight nylon webbing. Such a construction allows strap apparatus100 to be strong enough and have sufficient space to carry protectiveclothing, gear, and equipment (as described in detail infra). However,it should be understood that alternate embodiments of strap 110 can beone inch (1″) wide, one and one half inches (1½″) wide, or any otherwidth that provides sufficient strength to support the firefighter's PPEas well as be made of a light-weight webbing. It should also beunderstood that strap 100 may also be made of plastic, fabric, metal,lycra, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, poly-cotton blend, seat beltmaterial, dive belt material, wool, metal chain, cable wire, hemp,leather, rubber or other elastomeric material, inner tube material, orany other man-made or natural material known and used in the art,including combinations thereof and may also be constructed of a singleor multiple layers. Also in the embodiment shown, strap 101 is coloredblack. However, in alternate embodiments of strap apparatus 100, strap101 can have any color, combination of colors, or patterns, includingyellow, orange, or hunter red to indicate safety, color combinations torepresent a sports team, striped, camouflaged, paisley, or any othercolor or pattern, including combinations thereof. In addition, strap 101can include words, including the owner's name, the firefighting unit(e.g., house number), promotional advertisement, or any other words,letters, or numbers, including combinations thereof. In addition,integrated loop(s) 102, carrying handle 105, and/or shoulder harness 107(all described in detail infra) can also include the words, letters,numbers, colors, and patters provided.

In other embodiments, strap 101 may further include an additional layer(not shown). Such an additional layer can provide additional strength tostrap apparatus 100 and/or waterproofing or water-resistance. However,an additional layer solely for waterproofing or water-resistance wouldnot be necessary if the material chosen (as listed above or other) isalready waterproof and/or water-resistant.

Also shown in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 areintegrated loops 102. In the embodiment shown, integrated loops 102 areintegrally sewn right in to strap 101 and are made of the same materialas the material from which strap 101 is made. However, integrated loops102 can be made of any of the same materials from which strap 101 can bemade and need not be of the same material as strap 101, nor need eachintegrated loop 102 be made of the same material. That is, alternateembodiments of strap apparatus 100 can include one (1) or moreintegrated loops 102 made of one (1) material and one (1) or moreintegrated loops 102 be made of another material. In addition, it shouldbe understood that any number of integrated loops 102 could beintegrated into strap 101. Finally, it should be understood thatintegrated loops 102, in addition to being sewn to strap 101, can besecured to strap 101 by any mechanism, including but not limited tosnaps, buttons, rivets, or a hook and latch mechanism, includingcombinations thereof. The term “integrated” is used herein to refercollectively to any permanent or semi-permanent securing mechanism.

Also visible in FIG. 1 is a buckle, comprised of insertion member 103and receiving member 104. The buckle allows strap 101 to be closed in toa circular shape, increasing the stability and ease of carrying strapapparatus 100 when holding the protective equipment (not shown; see FIG.2). In the embodiment shown, insertion member 103 and receiving member104 are made of plastic and mate to lock together such that wheninsertion member 103 is squeezed, insertion member 103 can be removedfrom receiving member 104. It should be understood, however, that otherbuckles can be used that temporarily secure the two (2) ends of strap101 to each other.

Also visible in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1are retaining rings 108. Retaining rings 108 provide an additional pointto which the protective equipment can be secured to strap 101 of strapapparatus 100, but cannot be removed from strap 101. In the embodimentshown, strap apparatus 100 has two (2) retaining rings 108, each securedto strap 101 by passing through one (1) integrated loop 102. In theembodiment shown, each retaining ring is made of the same material fromwhich strap 101 is made, but may alternately be made of any alternateand functional similar material, including any type of metal, plastic,leather, string, cable, cord, webbing rings, or other ring(s) capable ofholding objects. Retaining ring 108 may also be a loop secured with afastener or other configured or molded structure of any material capableof forming a closed loop through which a strap, another loop, a hook,rope, or clothing may be drawn. It should be understood that everyembodiment of strap apparatus 100 need not include retaining rings 108or could have fewer or a greater number of retaining rings 108.

Also visible in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1are release rings 110. Release rings 110 function like retaining rings108, but be removed from strap 101. In the embodiment shown, retainingrings 108 are each a carabiner. However, alternate embodiments ofrelease rings 110 may alternately be, but are not limited to, a metalring which may be opened or closed by a clasp, spring, screw, gate, orother device, a key ring, a dog leash hook, or any other type of loop orhoop structure made of any material. It should be understood that everyembodiment of strap apparatus 100 need not include release rings 110 orcould have fewer or a greater number of release rings 108.

Also visible in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 iscarrying handle 105. Carrying handle 105 allows strap apparatus to belifted and carried. In the embodiment shown, carrying handle 105 is sewndirectly to strap 101 and made of the same material as strap 101, butcan be made of any of the same alternate materials from which strap 101can be made and need not be made of the same material as strap 101 inany particular alternate embodiment of strap apparatus 100. Moreover,carrying handle 105, like strap 101, can further include an additionallayer to provide additional strength and/or waterproofing orwater-resistance and can be secured to strap 101 by any mechanism,including but not limited to snaps, buttons, rivets, or a hook and latchmechanism, including combinations thereof.

Finally shown in the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1is shoulder harness 107. Shoulder harness 107 can be permanently ortemporarily secured to strap 101 at any point, but in the embodimentshown, shoulder harness 107 is intended to be secured to release rings110 to allow it to be removed as necessary. Shoulder harness 107 allowsthe user of strap apparatus 100 to hang or carry strap apparatus 100 andkeep both hands free. In the embodiment shown, shoulder harness 107 islonger than the distance between retaining rings 108 to allow strapapparatus 100 to hang over the user's shoulder to approximately theuser's hips. However, shoulder harness 107 can be of almost any length.In the embodiment of strap apparatus 100 shown, shoulder harness is madeof the same material as strap 101, but can be made of any of thealternate materials from which strap 101 can be made and can include anadditional layer to provide additional strength and/or waterproofing orwater-resistance to strap apparatus 100.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one (1) embodiment of strap apparatus 100. Inthe embodiment shown, strap apparatus 100 is intended for use by afirefighter and to which firefighter protective equipment has beensecured. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the protective clothing includesboots 201, helmet 202, and rain jacket 203. In the embodiment shown,boots 201 are secured to strap apparatus 100 via release rings 110,helmet 202 is secured to strap apparatus 100 via retaining ring 108, andrain jacket 203 is secured to strap apparatus 100 via integrated loop102. However, it should be understood that each element of protectiveequipment could be secured to strap apparatus 100 via any of the variousengagement members, i.e., integrated loops 102, retaining rings 108, andrelease rings 110. In addition, the protective equipment that can betemporarily secured to strap apparatus 100 can also include masks, facepieces, gloves, and other types of protective clothing as well asflashlights, cameras, measuring or recording equipment, carrying cases,supplies, or other types of safety equipment, all collectively referredto herein as “protective equipment.” As can be appreciated, insertionmember 103 has been attached to receiving member 104 to form strapapparatus 100 into a closed loop, allowing strap apparatus 100 to becarried by hand. Also visible in FIG. 2 is shoulder harness 107, whichallows strap apparatus 100 to be carried over the shoulder and withoutthe need of hands, though FIG. 2 shows strap apparatus 100 being carriedby hand 50 grasping shoulder harness 107 (rather than over the user'sshoulder).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one (1) embodiment of method 300 for securingprotective equipment to the strap apparatus. Method 300 includes thesteps of placing the strap apparatus on the ground 301, placing the bootsoles on the strap apparatus 302 so that the strap catches in the heelsof the boots, placing a folded coat lengthwise between the boots 303,sliding the insertion member of the buckle through the boot loops orstirrups and attaching it to the receiving member of the buckle 304,hooking the boots to a release ring 305, hooking the helmet to a releasering 306, securing any other equipment to other retaining rings orrelease rings 307, and hooking the shoulder harness to the strap 308.This allows all protective equipment to be secured to the strapapparatus and be readily accessible to the user. However, it should beunderstood that with less or other types of protective equipment,additional, alternate, or fewer steps would be required. In addition,although the steps are numbered sequentially and FIG. 3 shows the stepsas being in a particular order, it should be understood that the stepsneed not be performed in any particular order and that some steps couldpermissibly be performed simultaneously without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

While the strap apparatus for carrying protective equipment has beenshown and described with respect to several embodiments and uses inaccordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that thesame is not limited thereto, but is susceptible to numerous changes andmodifications as known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and itis intended that the present invention not be limited to the detailsshown and described herein, but rather cover all such changes andmodifications obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

1. An apparatus comprised of: a strap, said strap having a first end anda second end; a buckle, said buckle temporarily securing said first endof said strap to said second end of said strap; at least one integratedloop integrated into said strap; at least one retaining ring, each ofsaid at least one retaining ring permanently integrated into said strapand adapted to receive said protective equipment; at least one releasering, each of said at least one release ring non-permanently secured tosaid strap and adapted to receive said protective equipment; and ahandle, said handle allowing a user to carry said apparatus; whereinsaid apparatus is adapted to temporarily support and carry afirefighter's personal protective equipment.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said firefighter's personal protective equipment is selectedfrom a group consisting of a helmet, a face piece, a coat, boots, pants,gloves, a hood, a flashlight, one or more cutting tools, and one or morecarabiners.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strap, each ofsaid at least one integrated loop, and said handle are made of amaterial selected from a group consisting of nylon, nylon webbing,plastic, fabric, metal, metal chain, lycra, polyester, polypropylene,cotton, poly-cotton blend, seat belt material, dive belt material, wool,cable wire, hemp, leather, rubber, elastomeric material, inner tubematerial, and combinations thereof.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid strap, each of said at least one integrated loop, and said handleare made of a waterproof or water-resistant material.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein each of said at least one integrated loop is securedto said strap by a process selected from a group consisting of sewing,gluing, molding, soldering, riveting, melting, and combinations thereof.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said at least one retainingring and each of said at least one release ring are made of a materialselected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, leather, string,cable, cord, webbing, and combinations thereof.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said apparatus is further includes a shoulder harness,said shoulder harness secured to said apparatus.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said strap, said at least one integrated loop, and saidhandle further include an additional layer, said additional layerproviding at least one feature selected from a group consisting ofadditional strength, water-resistance, and water proofing.
 9. Anapparatus for carrying a firefighter's personal protective equipmentcomprised of: a strap, said strap having a first end and a second end; abuckle, said buckle temporarily securing said first end of said strap tosaid second end of said strap; at least one integrated loop integratedinto said strap; at least one retaining ring, each of said at least oneretaining ring permanently integrated into said strap and adapted toreceive said personal protective equipment; at least one release ring,each of said at least one release ring non-permanently secured to saidstrap and adapted to receive said protective equipment; a handle, saidhandle allowing a user to carry said apparatus; and a shoulder harness,said shoulder harness secured to said apparatus, wherein said apparatusis adapted to temporarily support and carry said personal protectiveequipment.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said firefighter'spersonal protective equipment is selected from a group consisting of ahelmet, a face piece, a coat, boots, pants, gloves, a hood, aflashlight, one or more cutting tools, and one or more carabiners. 11.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said strap, each of said at least oneintegrated loop, and said handle are made of a material selected from agroup consisting of nylon, nylon webbing, plastic, fabric, metal, metalchain, lycra, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, poly-cotton blend, seatbelt material, dive belt material, wool, cable wire, hemp, leather,rubber, elastomeric material, inner tube material, and combinationsthereof.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said strap, each of saidat least one integrated loop, said handle, and said shoulder harness aremade of a waterproof or water-resistant material.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein each of said at least one integrated loop is secured tosaid strap by a process selected from a group consisting of sewing,gluing, molding, soldering, riveting, melting, and combinations thereof.14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of said at least oneretaining ring and each of said at least one release ring are made of amaterial selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, leather,string, cable, cord, webbing, and combinations thereof.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein said strap, said at least one integratedloop, and said handle further include an additional layer, saidadditional layer providing at least one feature selected from a groupconsisting of additional strength, water-resistance, and water proofing16. An apparatus for carrying a firefighter's personal protectiveequipment comprised of: a strap, said strap having a first end and asecond end; a buckle, said buckle temporarily securing said first end ofsaid strap to said second end of said strap; at least one integratedloop integrated into said strap; at least one retaining ring, each ofsaid at least one retaining ring permanently integrated into said strapand adapted to receive said personal protective equipment, said personalprotective equipment selected from a group consisting of a helmet, aface piece, a coat, boots, pants, gloves, a hood, a flashlight, one ormore cutting tools, one or more carabiners, and combinations thereof. atleast one release ring, each of said at least one release ringnon-permanently secured to said strap and adapted to receive saidpersonal protective equipment a handle, said handle allowing a user tocarry said apparatus; and a shoulder harness, said shoulder harnessadapted to be secured to said apparatus; wherein at least one of said atleast one integrated loop, said handle, and said shoulder harness aremade of a waterproof or water-resistant material.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein said strap, each of said at least one integrated loop,and said handle are made of a material selected from a group consistingof nylon, nylon webbing, plastic, fabric, metal, metal chain, lycra,polyester, polypropylene, cotton, poly-cotton blend, seat belt material,dive belt material, wool, cable wire, hemp, leather, rubber, elastomericmaterial, inner tube material, and combinations thereof.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein said strap, each of said at least oneintegrated loop, said handle, and said shoulder harness are made of awaterproof or water-resistant material.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein each of said at least one integrated loop is secured to saidstrap by a process selected from a group consisting of sewing, gluing,molding, soldering, riveting, melting, and combinations thereof.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein each of said at least one retaining ringand each of said at least one release ring are made of a materialselected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, leather, string,cable, cord, webbing, and combinations thereof.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein said strap, said at least one integrated loop, andsaid handle further include an additional layer, said additional layerproviding at least one feature selected from a group consisting ofadditional strength, water-resistance, and water proofing.